Start with a clear plan
An IVF cycle involves several connected stages: medicines to stimulate egg production, collecting eggs and sperm, fertilisation in the laboratory, and transferring an embryo to the womb. Your care team explains the sequence and timing for your plan.
Monitoring and egg collection
Monitoring is part of treatment. Keep in touch with your team to understand the instructions and prepare for each stage. Ask for a written schedule of visits and medicines, and how to contact the team if a problem arises.
What happens in the laboratory?
Eggs are fertilised with sperm and the embryos are monitored. The fertilisation method depends on the treatment plan and may involve ICSI when appropriate.
Transfer and the waiting period
After embryo transfer comes the wait for a pregnancy test. Follow the test date and instructions supplied by your team rather than assuming every cycle follows the same timetable. Before starting, ask about risks, side effects, and what to do about unusual symptoms.